Forest fire rages in Morocco's Taroudant province

A forest fire has broken out in the mountainous commune of Ounaine, in Morocco's Taroudant province, where strong winds, high temperatures and rugged terrain have fueled the rapid spread of the flames, local media reported on Wednesday.

Civil Protection teams, forestry officials and local authorities remained mobilized overnight into Thursday to contain the blaze, which is threatening the area's forest cover, the same sources said. The rugged terrain has hampered access for heavy firefighting equipment, with crews working through the night to prevent the fire from reaching nearby residential areas.

Authorities have deployed the Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces, local officials and the National Agency for Water and Forests to establish containment lines, while aerial support from Canadair firefighting aircraft is expected to help extinguish the flames burning across the mountain peaks. Residents have been urged to avoid the affected areas, stay away from smoke and follow the instructions of emergency services.